Flood threat as Loddon bursts

THE Winnersh park and ride car park was closed this morning after heavy rainfall caused the river Loddon to burst its banks last night.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the car park, near the Showcase cinema, which has been closed to cars due to severe flooding.

The closure had a knock-on effect on routes into town from the east, with drivers who would usually use the car park coming into town instead on the Wokingham Road causing Cemetery Junction to become very congested.

The Environment Agency has classed Swallowfield, Winnersh and Wargrave, near the river Loddon, as a Flood Watch area - meaning flooding is possible - but the Thames and Kennet in have no warnings in force.

Motorists are being urged to take extreme caution as some roads are closed and others have flood warning signs.

In Wokingham district, Sandford Lane outside Winnersh and Woodley is closed, as are Mill Lane in Sindlesham and Sandhurst Road in Finchampstead.

Warning signs have been erected in Church Lane in Arborfield, the junction of The Street and Church Road in Swallowfield, and Nine Mile Ride near California Country Park.

In West Berkshire, the road leading off the A340 west of Theale going to Bradfield is also closed.

Alex Hazel, a spokesman for The Oracle, said the shopping centre is ready to cordon off the performance area on the Kennet riverside if it floods and is "keeping an eye" on water levels.

AA spokesman Michael Johnson warned that motorists should take extra care during these extreme driving conditions.

He said: "When drivers come across an area of flooding they should stop and assess how deep it is.

"If they have any doubts they should turn around.

"If it isn't too deep, keep in first gear making sure the speed is steady.

"Don't charge the car through it as this can cause water to go in the engine and cause it to stall - otherwise you'll literally find yourself in deep water."

He also advised drivers to slow down and keep their distance from the car in front.

The Loddon Bridge car park has been afflicted with regular flooding since opening in 1997.

In 2000 the flooding was particularly bad when it seeped onto the surrounding roads. Last year the car park was closed for four days after flooding.